German food is delicious no matter the time of day, and Checkers Old Munchen German restaurant in Pompano is a wonderful place to stop if you’re looking for an authentic German food experience.

In addition to the main three meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner, Germans are fans of having small meals in between. They consider between-meal bites to be a good way to prevent overeating at lunch and dinner, so such snacks are encouraged, according to Germanfoods.org.

As a matter of fact, even school children are encouraged to snack between meals. Eating a snack at school between breakfast and lunch is a tradition called Pausenbrot, which means “recess bread,” or Zweites Frühstück, or “second breakfast.”

German schoolchildren generally don’t eat meals at school, they wait to eat lunch at home after school. So the Pausenbrot, which can consist of fruit, a small sandwich or a muesli bar, gives them the energy they need to get through the day.

Adults eat a Zwischenmahlzeit (in-between meal), also known as Brotzeit, Vesper or Zweites. Germans also use the English word “snack.” The Zwischenmahlzeit is eaten in addition to main meals when workers are hungry during work hours.

Kaffee und Kuchen, or “coffee and cake,” is similar to the British tradition of taking tea in the afternoon. Families and friends gather together in the mid-to-late afternoon to drink coffee and perhaps have a piece of cake, including the traditional Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälderkirschtorte) or bee sting cake (Bienenstich). Other favorites include cheesecake and fruit tarts.

German coffee is traditionally rich and dark and served with cream or condensed milk. Tea has also become popular.

Stop by Checkers Old Munchen for a traditional dessert, including menu favorites Homemade Apple Strudel, Black Forest Cake, German Chocolate Cake or Raspberry Sponge Cake, along with a steaming cup of coffee. It’s the perfect end to a great German meal

Yes, yes, we know, Checkers Old Munchen is a German restaurant. So why are we telling you about St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish holiday?

Because having fun and drinking beer are two things that both the Germans and Irish feel are important!

So here’s some history behind some of the most popular St. Patrick’s Day traditions, according to USA Today.

1) St. Patrick

St. Patrick was a British nobleman kidnapped by Irish pirates at the age of 16. He was an atheist early in his life but discovered his faith while enslaved in Ireland. After 17 years as a slave, he escaped Ireland, but returned to Ireland as a missionary.

2. Parades

St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday, but Irish Americans made it into a celebration with

banquets at clubs in Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. New York City hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1762.

3. Shamrocks

Legend has it that St. Patrick used a three-leaf clover, or shamrock, to the three-leaved explain the Christian Holy Trinity.

As early as the 17th century, people wore shamrocks on their coats and closed the day by “drowning the shamrock” — placing it in a glass of whiskey before drinking it.

4. Drinking Guinness

On a typical day, Americans drink about 600,000 pints of the Dublin-based Guinness, but that increases to about 3 million pints on St. Patrick’s Day, the company said. And that’s just part of the 13 million pints of Guinness that will be consumed worldwide during this year’s holiday, the company said.

5. Leprechauns

Leprechauns come from Irish folklore. They were first mentioned in literature in the 8th century, coming from the word luchorpán, meaning “little body.”

6. Corned beef and cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage was popularized as a meal among Irish Americans because many Irish Americans in the 19th century were poor, and oth corned beef and cabbage were very affordable.

It may still be winter — or if you’d like to believe it, maybe just barely spring — but time is short to sign up for Checkers Old Munchen German restaurant Pompano’s trip to Oktoberfest next fall in Germany!

Airlines are expected to increase prices in March, so make sure you book soon — very soon. Send your booking form in to Robin at Best of Europe (bestofeurope@aol.com) as soon as possible so she can secure your place on the tour and experience the original Oktoberfest and all of its German traditions.

The $2,499 tour includes seven nights in four-star hotels as well as a breakfast buffet each day, touring in a luxury air-conditioned motorcoach, welcome and farewell dinners with drinks, and all hotels and porters.Airfare is not included.

The tour includes not only Oktoberfest in Munich but also visits to the Muenchen Bayern soccer stadium and Neuschwanstein castle as well as the beautiful alpine scenery around Salzburg and Innsbruck. Here’s the agenda:

Sunday, September 23 – Arrive in Munich, Robin will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Salzburg. After check-in Free time in the historic Old Town for lunch, sightseeing, shopping. This evening enjoy the welcome drink and dinner with drinks. Salzburg, Hotel Huberteshof.

Monday, September 24 – After breakfast explore this city, founded in the 9th century, with our Local expert Guide in the historic Old Town, the Guided City Tour also takes in some of the sights from” The Sound of Music”. Then free time for lunch and shopping This afternoon maybe join the Optional for an exciting drive into the mountains to visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.

Tuesday, September 25 – Today a beautiful drive to Innsbruck Capital of the Tirol. The Guided City tour includes the Golden Roof and Olympic Ski-jump. Then free time for lunch, exploring, shopping. This evening maybe join an Optional Tyrolean Evening, Dinner with drinks and show. A fun evening of Yodeling, Alphorn blowing, Alpine Dances and much more! Innsbruck Hotel Central.

Wednesday, September 26 – We drive into Germany to Neuschwanstein to visit this fairytale castle built by the so-called Mad King Ludwig, horse and carriage transport up to, and down from the castle. Then on to visit the typical Bavarian village of Oberammergau, famous for the Passion play, which is held here every ten years, also famous for its painted houses.Dinner in our Hotel.

Thursday, September 27 – Today we head to Munich.After hotel check-in visit the Historic Centreof the Old Town. Free time for shopping sightseeing maybe an early visit to the Hofbrauhaus. This afternoon we go to the World-Famous OKTOBERFEST, Dinner Drinks, oompah music and an amazing festive atmosphere in the PAULANER tent. Holiday Inn

Friday, September 28 – Our City tour includes the Olympic Park, the BMW building and ending at the Marienplatz to see the famous Glockenspiel. Free time before we go again to the fair grounds of Oktoberfest to enjoy an afternoon visit and maybe take in a different beer tent for dinner.

Saturday, September 29 – North of Munich we come to the spectacular Soccer Stadium home of Munchen Bayern Soccer team. We have a guided tour and visit of this amazing stadium. It has a shopping complex, Restaurants, even a Kindergarten! Its illumination system is the first of its kind. Our Farewell dinner is in a very special restaurant, just off the Marienplatz, with drinks and music.

Sunday, September 30 – After breakfast it’s Aufwiedersehen Germany! Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the USA.

Oktoberfest 2018 in Munich will officially begin on Saturday, September 22nd with opening ceremonies in the Schottenhamel. At noon, the Mayor of Munich will tap the first keg of Oktoberfest beer. Visitors often arrive by 9 am to secure good seats at the festival. Oktoberfest will run until October 7.